Moscow. April 27. INTERFAX - In the last few days, explosions have been heard in the capital of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, which have not been heard for thirty years. Our special correspondents Vyacheslav Terekhov and Andrey Novikov talk about what it was with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev.
Thirty years in Tiraspol there were no explosions
- For thirty years, residents of Tiraspol and Transnistria in general have not heard explosions. What was that? Random explosions, as it happens, or...?
- Unfortunately, not random. The situation is very difficult, because Transnistria was subjected to terrorist attacks on April 25 and 26 (unknown persons fired at the building of the Ministry of State Security in Tiraspol, disabled the radio center in the village of Mayak - IF). In this regard, the Security Council of the Republic has introduced a special regime in the country - the red terrorist threat regime. According to preliminary data, traces of those who organized terrorist acts lead to Ukraine. The President of Pridnestrovie addressed Pridnestrovians and representatives of Ukraine and Moldova. He urged our citizens, first of all, to remain calm and said that the state authorities had taken a number of decisions to ensure peace, stability and security in the republic.
The leadership of the republic called on the Ukrainian side to investigate this incident and prevent the escalation of regional tensions. It is well known that Transnistria has received more than 25 thousand Ukrainian refugees. Currently, these people are fully integrated into our society, children go to schools, kindergartens, and receive education in Ukrainian. We have no problems or difficulties with this issue. At the same time, unfortunately, for some reason Transnistria acts as a kind of object of a terrorist threat, this is counterproductive.
Of course, the leadership of Pridnestrovie also appealed to the Moldovan side not to succumb to provocations, not to involve Moldova in aggression against Pridnestrovie. We hope for the prudence of our neighbors from the east and from the west.
The situation is quite alarming for Transnistria, absolutely unusual. Let me remind you that, probably, since the military aggression of Moldova in 1992, we have not had such terrorist acts.
- But Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that the explosions in Tiraspol are the result of internal confrontation in Transnistria.
- Such a statement has absolutely no basis. I repeat, it absolutely does not. I would leave these insinuations on her conscience. There are means of objective control, there are law enforcement agencies of Pridnestrovie, there are law enforcement agencies, the prosecutor's office, which has already conducted a preliminary investigation. And the objective control data gives an accurate answer to where the sabotage group that committed these acts came from. Therefore, I do not know what Ms. Sandu is talking about. I repeat, let's leave these insinuations on her conscience.
Is it time to increase the Russian group of troops in Transnistria?
- The red regime of the terrorist threat is very serious. Don't the Transnistrian authorities think that in such a situation it is necessary to increase the Russian group of troops in the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic?
- We have not raised the issue so far and have not raised it, as long as we do not see any grounds for this. The peacekeeping operation provides all the necessary regime within the controlled security zone. While the situation is in a fairly stable situation, under control. I will note that there is a special body that directs the peacekeeping operation - this is the Joint Control Commission, which makes decisions on the formats of the operation. As far as I know, there are no such solutions, so for now everything remains in the same mode.
- Based on your answer, are there any appeals to Russia for military assistance and additional weapons?
- At this stage, we do not see any grounds for this. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pridnestrovie, I am in constant contact with the plenipotentiary representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, we are in constant and active contact. We have the possibility of checking the hours, but we are not planning any additional requests yet.
- Do you see any threat of further escalation, and what role could Russia play here? And a related question: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said that he would very much not like to see the implementation of a scenario in which Russia would have to intervene in the conflict around Transnistria. Are there any risks and is there a likely scenario in which Russia would have to intervene in this situation?
- Firstly, the role of Russia historically in our regional space is the role of a peacemaker, this is the state that ensured peace for 30 years between Moldova and Pridnestrovie and created the foundations for a political peaceful dialogue. We have been conducting it for three decades. Therefore, Russia certainly enjoys the confidence of the population of Transnistria. I think the Moldovan population too. Therefore, of course, we pin our hopes for peace and security on the Russian Federation.
As for crisis and conflict scenarios, it is clear that in modern conditions, probably, nothing can be ruled out, but, of course, we must make all necessary efforts to prevent escalation. Of course, it is necessary to work out different forecasts and scenarios and be prepared for any situation. For our part, we are doing everything to ensure peace and security. We are not a threat to Ukraine, and the leadership of Pridnestrovie has repeatedly officially stated that there are no plans or preparatory actions against Ukraine.
Is the question of the integration of Moldova and Transnistria still relevant?
- Regarding the integration of Pridnestrovie into Moldova, has such a possibility been considered, or, as they say, the point of no return has been passed in this matter?
- In general, this question is not raised, and has never been raised in recent years. We have a negotiation process, you know that we are conducting a dialogue, today we have a so-called humanitarian basket, and a whole package of agreements, which, by the way, Moldova has not fulfilled. Therefore, even the simplest and simplest issues cannot be solved with Moldova at present, including the supply of medicines and food. Especially on Easter holidays. We had to return a number of cargoes back to Transnistria, including meat, chicken eggs, and so on. And again, medicines that people need. Therefore, in these conditions, of course, Chisinau is an absolutely non-negotiable partner.
As for the point of no return, it was passed on September 17, 2006, when Pridnestrovie decided its fate by building an independent state in a referendum. I believe that today we are in a situation where the Moldovan leadership should show wisdom, an adequate approach to the current realities, realize these realities, sit down at the negotiating table with the leadership of Pridnestrovie and sign a final comprehensive peace treaty, where mutual non-aggression is guaranteed. I think we should put an end to this conflict and end this conflict, because de facto Moldova itself created the legal grounds for the existence of an independent Transnistria.
All these years, Chisinau has been destroying the dialogue, has not brought the parties one iota closer to resolving the conflict through some kind of unification. Therefore, today I see no reason for this. Moreover, Moldova has decided on a strategic direction by applying for accelerated accession to the European Union, while completely ignoring the opinion of Pridnestrovie, and ignoring the negotiation process. Symbols of the Great Victory, including feature films about the Great Patriotic War, are banned in Moldova. In fact, an absolutely counterproductive war is being waged against common sense, against history. Of course, a number of facts, including the activity of NATO, suggest that we have different paths.
But I believe that geography is fate, we must live peacefully, so we need to agree and peacefully disperse, like the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
And integration with Russia?
- We can't help but ask about closer integration with Russia. To what extent is it possible?
- Pridnestrovie has determined the vector of development towards Russia, and the degree of integration will be determined based on the expression that politics is the art of the possible. We will decide how we will cooperate. I think that this question will be revealed on a broader practical level in the future, why guess now?
- Then we will concretize the question: at present, the fate of the DPR-LPR, South Ossetia is often discussed by politicians and in the press. The latter has already announced the possibility of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation. Are such scenarios being considered in Tiraspol?
- At this stage, it seems to me that forecasts are a thankless task, scenario options too, especially in conditions of global and regional tension. Therefore, in order not to give reasons for any insinuations, we will share our plans with our Russian colleagues in a non-public mode for the time being.
